AN unwillingness to take on huge debts and cuts to university budgets are part of the reason why less youngsters are aspiring to go to university, teaching unions said.

A Sutton Trust report found the proportion of young people who are likely to go into higher education has fallen to its lowest level since 2009.

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said: "It is no surprise that young people are unwilling to take on the huge debts now required to attend university, particularly since the average student leaves university with debts in excess of £50,000.

"Many young people who have experienced their families’ financial struggles as children will be wary of taking on such a huge burden of debt.

"Cuts to university budgets have also affected widening participation programmes, so there is less money for outreach programmes to help disadvantaged young people aware of the opportunities in higher education."